Kristy wrote "When her teacher asks her if she would like to stay in at recess
and try and talk with her my daughter says yes then she stays and is unable to
talk. I just would have thought she would just say no. Have you ever had any
situations like that?"

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Yes! Your daughter WANTS to talk. She just can't get the words out. My SM
daughter described it as the words stuck in her throat. She would, in earlier
years say that she didn't want to speak, but that was just her way of covering
her anxiety. She DID want to speak. If your daughter is saying she wants to
speak to her teacher then she is at a great point. If you can get the teacher
to find a way to gradually get your daughter speaking that would be ideal.
First just to be in the same room at recess as the teacher. She can just draw,
read, anything. The teacher can speak to her but not ask her any questions. Say
things like "that's a pretty shirt you are wearing," talk about the weather,
upcoming holidays, anything like that. Gradually have her help the teacher with
little things, putting things away, cleaning the board, taping up class work on
the bulletin boards. No speech is needed on the student's part. Gradually, try
and get her teacher to ask her just yes or no questions. The teacher will have
to judge how to approach this, depending on how she feels the child is going to
react, so she can ask directly or with the teacher outside the classroom door,
or behind a bookcase. Then eventually in the class but with her back to the
student. This can work. If your child won't say yes or no, then try sounds. Uh
huh for yes. Or get her to make up her own words for yes and no. My daughter
did this and over months she had her own vocabulary for common words, colours,
etc. This is a long process, but with understanding teachers it can be very
successful. The student has to feel comfortable in the classroom and especially
with the teacher. The teacher treats the child with respect, as a friend as
well as a teacher and does not pressure the child to speak.

Julie
follow your heart